Our Leader
Lt. Col. Larry DeBuhr, USAF, Ret.
Founder & CEO
Anyone that knows Larry knows that he is highly regarded for his enthusiasm, hard work, leadership, persistence, and wit. Larry has always had a passion for supporting the community’s development and growth and his fellow Veterans. There are many organizations and programs that Larry has supported throughout the years. Here are a few, Larry is an intricate part of assisting the development of his hometown community pool in Canton, SD, dedicated member of the City of Canton Recreational Council developing and expanding the beloved baseball diamonds, Quartermaster for the Local 3164 VFW Post, and Chairman of United Way representing the 114th Air National Guard. Larry established Koah Ventures based on the main principle of Developing with Purpose.
“Koah Ventures focuses on projects that meet our goals of Developing with Purpose. Developing with Purpose generates increased value to our country’s communities and the quality of life for the Veterans that serve them. The services that we perform provide positive impacts, always making a difference.” – Lt. Col. Larry DeBuhr, USAF, Ret.
A Humble Beginning
Larry was born in El Paso, Texas, at William Beaumont Army Medical Center to parents Merle and Shirley DeBuhr. Larry’s father was a private in the United States Army. Shortly after Larry’s birth his father was deployed and stationed in South Korea for a year. This was the beginning of Larry’s involvement with veterans and their families. Larry was the second child of five, losing a brother shortly after birth, to heart complications. After his father’s honorable discharge from the army, he took a job with Terrace Park Diary in Sioux City, IA as a Milkman. Not many kids can honestly say they were a “son of a milkman”. Times were tough for the family so Larry’s Father took a Job as a common laborer, working as a welder for Load King Trailor Company in Elk Point SD, where he worked hard to establish himself as the Plant Superintendent. Larry’s Father is a great role model and leader, proving that hard work pays off.
At an early age Larry learned all about the value of hard work, working for a local farmer.
“Doug picked me up early in the morning and dropped me off at dark, until I was able to drive myself. My job tasks pertained to walking the wet soybean fields and cutting weeds in morning, baled and bucked hay bales in afternoon, then walked beans again in the evening for 2-3 hours. Cultivated soybeans and field corn with the M and H international tractors until graduating to the 706 International with a radio, but no cab. Thought I was in heaven. Work was all I knew and being a diligent worker was the best way to receive respect on the farm.” – Lt. Col. Larry DeBuhr, USAF, Ret.
Larry’s experiences helped with other farm tasks such as building fences, repairing, and constructing farm buildings, and remodeling the cattle yard. This strong work ethic led to becoming a High School Football and Track standout. Larry still holds two track records to this day in the Freshman 100-yard Dash and Medley Relay.
Personal life & Service to our Country
Larry loved to listen to his father and uncles talk about their military career experiences, patriotism, and travels. This seemed so intriguing and exciting which made him want to do his part in giving back to this wonderful nation. In the Fall of Larry’s Sophomore year, his mother developed a blood clotting disorder and due to compilations lost the lower third of her Left leg. The family overcame diversity through prayer and the love of family. The loss of his mother’s leg was devastating for Larry, a life changing event. Her courage and strength were awe-inspiring. This taught Larry that there are many turns in the path of life and what you get out of life equals what you put into it, there is more to life than obtaining gold medals in sports. The positive attitude, strength, and compassion that his mother omitted when in her presence rubbed off on Larry and inspired him to give back to those in need. So, in 1974, Larry enlisted into the military, forgoing a track scholarship so he could serve his country as a medic in the United States Air Force.
After being honorably discharged from active duty, Larry went home and was hired as a construction worker building an eighteen bed Motel. After construction was completed, the owners of the Motel took a shining to Larry and hired him as the Motel Manager. While managing the Motel during the day, Larry utilized the G.I. bill and attended night courses to receive an Associate of Arts Business degree at Sioux Empire College in Hawarden, Iowa. The Motel business at this time was not the most lucrative career and finances were limited, so Larry accepted a construction position as a Boiler Maker in Port Neil, Nebraska, building four power plants.
Larry’s devotion for the Military continued as he enlisted in the Air National Guard and his compassion for his fellow comrades lured him eventually to the Royal C. Johnson Veterans’ Memorial Hospital in Sioux Falls, SD. During his time at the VA Hospital his construction background became useful once again, Larry was assigned by Leadership to manage the design and construction of a 1.2-million-dollar oncology clinical addition and a 2.6-million-dollar outpatient clinic that would serve over 20,000 Veterans in Region 23 each year. These experiences manifested and propelled Larry’s future goals of continuing to serve his country by taking the lead in improving and expanding Veterans Affairs healthcare services across our great nation. “Developing with Purpose”
After seventeen years at the Hospital, Larry’s military career brought the opportunity to accept a position as the Medical Administrator Officer for South Dakota Air National Guard 114th Fighter Wing in Sioux Falls, SD. During his time at the Base, Larry was responsible for the Pre-deployment organization and oversite of overall medical readiness of over 1,100 Air National Guard Personnel and day-to-day operations of readiness operations with the 56 medical clinical personnel which provided medical, dental, and radiology services.
This was a wonderful experience and continued Larry’s love for building. “I was tasked to reposition fly ash expansion pads that were installed incorrectly. The expansion pads were 140 feet from the ground. I was closer to God than I could imagine. I made a pact with him that if I made it through this task, I was going to do something good for humankind. Low and behold the job ended, and I continued my medical studies at South Dakota State University School of Nursing and became a Registered Nurse. All while working many odd end, night, and weekend jobs; my construction background came in very handy during this time.” – Lt. Col. Larry DeBuhr, USAF, Ret.
“Developing with Purpose”- Projects that Koah Ventures lead and successfully develop and build are projects that generate increased value for our Nation’s communities and the quality of life for the Veterans that serve it. – Lt. Col. Larry DeBuhr, USAF, Ret.
A few milestones during Larry’s military service:
- The South Dakota State partnership program partnered with the South America Country of Suriname. Stationed in the country’s capital, Paramaribo. Larry had been tasked to provide aid and support to this country. Larry was selected to instruct Combat Life Saving technics to 27 combat medics enlisted with the Suriname army. This project helped build on the relationship between the U.S. and Suriname militaries, which is what the State Partnership Program is all about.
- Larry was selected to command Air Force taskforce members in Honduras, Central America, to supply humanitarian care to multiple remote villages providing medical, dental, and minor surgery procedures for villagers. Over 300 patients were served.
- In June of 2011 cities along the Missouri River were devastated by flood waters due to the extreme snow falls. Larry was tasked to help coordinate 60 members of the 114th fighter group to coordinate sandbagging operations, levee construction operations, transferring to patrolling the fortress they helped construct over a 3.8-mile stretch of levee observing for cracks or breeches.
- Larry was appointed Commander of the Innovative Readiness Training for Arctic Care 2014 in Kodiak, Alaska. Larry was responsible for seven remote village treatment sites prepared in advance for the main body and was critical in the successful delivery of triage, medical, dental, physical therapy, optical, and veterinary services to over 2,000 patients, 400 animal, 6,400 procedures. Larry was also tasked to be lead on the Development and Building Committee for assisting the design and construction of two separate multi-million-dollar Medical Clinic renovation projects; in total approximately 13,500 sqft of renovations. Both projects improved the quality of care and the access to care that our Veterans truly deserve.
His True Heart
“In my Junior year of High School, I met the love of my life. Janice, a farm girl that transferred into our school, we shared lockers next to each other. Her shyness, smile, and mysterious way she presented herself, not to mention how cute she was, caught my eye. She believed in me and is my closest friend. Almost 50 years later and our feelings toward each other have grown even stronger.” – Lt. Col. Larry DeBuhr, USAF, Ret.
Larry’s children are his pride and joy, and his grandchildren are adored beyond measure. Unconditional love for all of them.
